Rim-tool.



J. JOHNSQN.

RIM TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21.1916.

J. JOHNSON.

RIM TOOL.

- APPLICATION FILED/JULY 21. l9l6. 1,201,190. Patented 001. 10,1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

TEL-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN JOHNSON, OF PERRYVILLE, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS A.

SON, OF BONNE TERRE. MISSOURI.

RIM-TOOL.

To all whom it may concern .7

Be it known that I. JOHN JOHNSON, a

citizen of the United States, residing at same.

My invention relates to improvements in tools for contracting and expanding common types of split rims which are detachably secured to automobile wheels, the object being to provide a simple and inexpensive tool of this class by whose'use the rim may be easily contracted to remove and 'expanded to replace the tire. v

With this general object in view, the invention resides in certain specific features of construction to be hereinafter fully described and claimed, the descriptive matter being supplemented by theaccompanying drawings which constitute a part of this application and in which:

Figure '1 is a side elevation ofthe improved tool applied to a rim; Fig. 2is a similar view showing the manner in which said rim is contracted by the tool; Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 33 of Fig. 1 with the parts in position for con tracting the rim; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 showing the manner in which the pointedend of the operating rod bears against the rim when expanding the latter; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the plane of the line 55, of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on the plane of the line 66 of Fig. 3 Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the plane indicatedby the line 7-7 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 8 is a detail section of Fig. 7' on the plane of the line 88.

In specifically describing the construction shown in the drawings above briefly described, similar characters will be employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and reference will be herein made to the numerous elements by. their respective indices. To this end, the numeral 1 desigI 1ates a common type of automobile rim whose ends meet at the point 2 and are adapted to be separated and moved inwardly to contract the sufficiently to permit the tire 3 to be removed or replaced as-occasion Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed July 27, 191 6. SeriaI No. 111,718.

Patented Oct. 10, 191

may demand. For contracting the rim and agaln'expanding the same, the improved tool 4 is provided.

The tool 4v comprises a C-clamp .5 adapted to be clamped by means of its set screw 6 to the rim 1 opposite the point 2, the yoke of said clamp having formed therein a circular opening 7 in which one end of a rod 8 1s rotatably mounted, this end of said rod being pointed as shown at 9 and having a stop collar 10which bears against the aforesaid yoke ofthe clamp 5. The other end of the rod 8' is threaded into a sleeve 11 having oppositely projecting upwardly diverging ears 12 and links 13 arepivoted to ears 14 on a pair of C-clamps 15, the latter having set screws 16 by means of which they are adapted to be secured to the opposite ends of the rim 1.

For the purpose of rotating the rod 8 any suitable means may be provided but the .center of said rod is preferably enlarged as shown at 17 and a forked handle 18 is oted to said enlargement.

l Vhen the improved tool is used for contracting a rim to permit removal of a tire therefrom or application of another thereto, it is applied as shown in Fig. l. The two ends of the rim will now be separated by a screw driver or the like to permit one end to move inwardly beyond the other, whereupon the rod 8 will be rotated and will thus draw both ends of the rim inwardly toward the center of the latter, thereby'deereasing the size of said rim the required amount. After applying a new tire to the rim, rotation of the screw in the opposite direction will force the two ends of the rim back to their normal positions and during this op- -eration, the pointed inner end 9 of the rod comprising a C-clamp to be secured on a split rim opposite the meeting ends thereof, the yoke of said clamp having formed therein a circular opening, a rod having one end rotatably mounted in said opening and having this end hroughtto a point to serve as ea thrust bearing to ontact with the rim, a stop ('ollar secured on said end of the rod to bear against the inner side of said yok of the clamp; a sleeve in whieh'the other end of'th'efrod is threaded, a pair of links pivoted to said sleeve at one end, a pair of C- clamps to which the other ends of said links are pivoted, said clamps being adapted to be secured on the meeting ends of the rim, 1;: and means for rotating the aforesaid rod.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presenre of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN JOHNSON.

\Vitnesses:

SYLYESTER ZAHNER, JOHN F. GEILE. 

